By Surendra Pariyar | Project Leader
Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual event observed on May 28th to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation. In 2023, the Bahini Educare Foundation took the initiative to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day in Nepal, a country where menstruation is still considered a taboo topic. The Foundation aimed to promote open conversations about menstruation, provide menstrual hygiene education, and distribute essential hygiene products to young girls in rural areas near Pokhara Valley.
Activities:
School Selection: The Bahini Educare Foundation carefully selected five schools in rural areas where menstruation-related discussions and awareness campaigns were most needed.
Awareness Sessions: The foundation organized interactive awareness sessions in these schools. The primary focus of these sessions was to normalize conversations about menstruation, dispel myths, and provide accurate information regarding menstrual hygiene.
Target Audience: The awareness sessions mainly targeted young girls who were either approaching the age of menstruation or had recently started menstruating. These students were encouraged to ask questions and share their concerns openly.
Interactive Classes: The classes were designed to be highly interactive, allowing students to actively participate in discussions and activities. This approach helped create a safe and supportive environment for discussing menstruation openly.
Distribution of Menstrual Products: As part of the celebration, Bahini Educare Foundation distributed 200 packs of sanitary pads and 60 bars of soap to each of the five selected schools. These hygiene products were provided to ensure that girls had access to safe and hygienic menstrual products.
Impact:
Over 200 girls benefited directly from the distribution of sanitary pads and soap, ensuring their access to essential hygiene products for managing menstruation.
The interactive classes helped remove the stigma associated with menstruation and provided girls with accurate information about menstrual hygiene.
By normalizing conversations around menstruation, the foundation contributed to a more open and supportive environment for girls in these rural areas.
Future Initiatives: Bahini Educare Foundation is committed to advocating for dignified menstruation and proper hygiene in the long term. To continue its efforts beyond Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023, the foundation plans to:
Conduct regular menstrual hygiene workshops and awareness programs in schools.
Collaborate with local communities and organizations to expand the reach of their initiatives.
Provide ongoing support and education to girls and young women to ensure their menstrual health and hygiene needs are met.
Conclusion: The celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023 by Bahini Educare Foundation in rural Nepal was a significant step towards breaking the silence surrounding menstruation. By providing education, hygiene products, and fostering open conversations, the foundation has made a positive impact on the lives of over 200 girls. It is crucial to continue such efforts to empower girls and women to manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.
This has been possible by the kind and continuous support from our donor community, friends and well wishers. We continue to work towards our objective of PREVENTION of human trafficking and the worst forms of abuse and exploitiation through our grass root projects.
Sincerely,
Surendra, Raymond & TEAM
Bahini Educare Foundation
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